The truth about a complex built for veterans and the middle class and how it has evolved through the years to become one of the more interesting and controversial of New York stories.

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Management has two priorities: 1) Making sure money is made, hence upgrading and filling up apartments is their goal. "Amenities" are important in selling the place, though few residents use them. 2) If someone needs medical attention, Public Safety will be there, if alerted.

Quality of life issues are not that important, however. Things like the carpet rule or outsider dogs. These "rules" tend to be ignored, on purpose it seems. So you will see a lot that isn't taken care of properly, and complaints will be met with a creative excuse and a smile.

"Peace and quiet" must be a cruel joke, though this property is sold that way. There can be no peace and quiet as ALL apartments must be upgraded, which includes the installation of an AC unit below the window. Aside from the continual construction about the neighborhood, there is a new and noisy subway extension being built along East 14 st and the shut down of the L line. "Choosing" to live in NYC, now the newest mantra, is a fabrication when the talk is of ST and PCV, which was traditionally quiet, with no construction noise.

Though money was always important, it is now more important than ever. Money rules many things, as you will find.

At this point, 30 years into living here and seeing many things, I can state that Management and their reps are BS-ing us. I can't say that loudly enough: We are being BS-ed. I don't see any genuine change, though the "selling" of this place is intense. Few of the "rules" will be enforced, as Management doesn't want to lose customers or potential customers. Where personal integrity is a hallmark of an excellent management style, this integrity is not seen in enforcing some of the rules.

About those "club cars" we see going this way and that way, and outside of Stuy Town or Peter Cooper Village:

Thursday, March 30, 2017

The Next Battle: Associated on 14th St.

I admit that a part of this is self-serving: I go to Associated almost daily. I go to buy the things I need to exist. I also go to Gracefully, and aside from their lunch (high-priced but still good), I don't buy their other food stuffs, which I find particularly high-priced. Nor do I have the credit card to take out and have this food stuff part of a bill I don't see until next month. And I see a lot of credit cards in Gracefully. A lot.

People in Stuy Town and vicinity are, generally, like me regarding Associated. It is not perfect, and the aisles can get very tight, and some of their fruits are high-priced, but you can't keep away the people who buy at the store. (See the threat of a winter storm and witness the stacks on the shelves quickly disappear.)

Associated is heading to be closed because the store can't afford the higher rent that is asked of it by Blackstone. The store is willing to pay more, but too much they can't afford. And, on purpose it seems, Blackstone is asking too much. Blackstone wants a higher priced store in there, one that will cater to their new demographic: young, wealthy, upscale. Associated doesn't fit that picture.

The loss of Associated is just one more step in the disappearance of the "mom-and-pop" store in Manhattan. Just in the past months I have seen these mom-and-pop stores close near me, even more than they did before. It is at a point where desperation seems to set in. Perhaps desperation is part of the plan. If you can't afford New York, what are you doing here?

But you're chosen the wrong person to play with. Something like this makes me more committed, not less.

I will not be banished. I will buy at a higher price what I had paid less for, but my money supply for other items is dwindling, as I'm sure yours is, too, unless you are wealthy.

144 comments:

Anonymous
said...

STR, how dare you post an article with actual facts regarding SBJSA! Don't you know that us dim witted Sty town residents only accept the alternative facts as presented by our esteemed councilman Dan Garodnick? Who cares that it's merely the REBNY talking points that Dan continues to give us!

I'm sure the TA will throw some press out there making it seem like they care, knowing damn well that Associated is screwed.

Blackstone exists to maximize profits. If a business can assume that lease at a higher price than Associated then Blackstone is going to offer the lease to the highest bidder. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. You think these corporations have a conscience?

Yes, the demo is changing around here. Prices are going up because the ‘new’ people can afford it. As long as there is a great demand to live and work here prices will continue to escalate. People on fixed incomes will suffer the most since many have few options to move away to a cheaper maybe even a better quality of life elsewhere. Yes, there is life outside New York!

I’ve lived in New York my entire life of 56 years. I’ve seen this city through its hellish past and it is much more livable now though much pricier. There are still many good things about New York but also many things not to like. If you ask most New Yorkers especially natives they usually have a love/hate relationship with this city.

I’m actually considering giving up my rent stabilized apartment here and moving to a quieter, less populated, less taxed city. If I do this I of course will never come back here to live since I can’t afford the market rate rents or the amounts being asked for condos/co-ops.

Blackstone would love it if I left since they could more than double my rent to new occupants. They should offer incentives ($$$) to those with rent stabilized leases to give up their leases. I realize most of you will never give up your rent stabilized lease and it’s understandable.

I do understand all of the sadness over the loss of Associated. It is convenient for the seniors, but I just cannot get upset over the loss of that particular store. That being said, I find myself having to go to other stores to get everything that I want, despise the cramped aisles filled with boxes, and notice that management has a tendency to display less popular flavors and types of certain products for weeks at a time, while the more desirable flavors and types are stored away or not stocked at all. Would love a Pathmark, Fairway or Shopright type store, but guess it will never happen here. I always felt that the managers of Associated knew that they had a monopoly goldmine due to the location of Associated and never really made improvements. The prices were better than Gristedes but not comparable to supermarkets in New Jersey.

That is a powerfully ominous headline. In a civilized society, politicians would be ashamed if their constituents have to battle at all let alone battle for basic human needs as a food store unless the politicians are uncivilized, shameless, self-promoting hustlers in bed and in business with real estate developers.

But where? Don't forget that time is money to some people. Other people can't go a longer distance to do their shopping. It depends. Associated is convenient to me and to others. But if it goes, people will have to go "somewhere else."

I'm sure that if it were not for tenant protections that a good amount of us would be on our asses and out of here by force. Just as the "mom and pop" stores are disappearing because of high rents, we, as tenants, would "disappear," too. Would Blackstone cry? Not too much.

These three are responsible for giving away Chelsea Stuyvesant Town Peter Cooper Village Lower East Side China town to developers. Tweet Edmund Dunn's message so everyone knows they are deliberately, ineffectively doing their job.

The issue is that ANY full service supermarket is in trouble right now because of the transient demo (college/just post college) that they want (REBNY) which is not wealthy per se but are parental funded who don't cook. BTW, both Pathmark (A&P and Pathmark filed for bankruptcy) and Fairway have major debt issues. ShopRite does not have a presence in Manhattan.

I implore all tenants to write letters to Dan Garodnick's office if you're concerned about the possible loss of Associated. Dan cares deeply about the residents of this project and will not take kindly to any possible nefarious behavior undertaken by Blackstone.

Like everything Associated has its good qualities and flaws. The inventory is stuck in the 1950's, not a lot of eco-friendly household cleaner brands and the food choices are out dated, not up to the level of healthier eating choices of other supermarkets. In fairness the demographic of the community changed rapidly from generations of Grandparents, Parents, Kids who live with traditions and recipes handed down to a demographic of transient midnight snackers and room service guests who don't shop at grocery stores and don't clean up after themselves.

Speaking of flaws... I was forced by the weather to get some milk at Gristedes. There were two one-quart containers left, and both had the same expiration date: April 1st. That's, like, tomorrow. I had to buy the half-gallon, even if its expiration date was earlier than the date at Associated two days ago!

Maybe too far south for your weather related shopping trip and I hate say this but the CVS at First and 15th Street has good dated milk, good price ($1.59 per quart) and with the express scan checkout, you're out of there fast.

"These three are responsible for giving away Chelsea Stuyvesant Town Peter Cooper Village Lower East Side China town to developers. Tweet Edmund Dunn's message so everyone knows they are deliberately, ineffectively doing their job."

FYI, the tweet text message is from Kirsten Theodos, co-founder of Take Back NYC.

@CoreyinNYC @DanGarodnick @CM_MargaretChin ICYMI:"In short what good is a tax cut if you dont have a lease?" #SBJSA

Kushner owns a lot of property below 14th that he wants to see increase in value as projected when the land parcels were divided up among a few developer families. That means the politicians who handed over all the land to just a few families have to deliver a demolished StuyTown for a new Yacht & Ferry Dock Condo Hotel Tower to deliver the promised riches to all who bought surrounding parcels. With these two talking all the time we are sure to be sacrificed even more. de Blasio is really bad when it comes to making deals. Someone, anyone please run against him.

"I’m actually considering giving up my rent stabilized apartment here and moving to a quieter, less populated, less taxed city. If I do this I of course will never come back here to live since I can’t afford the market rate rents or the amounts being asked for condos/co-ops.

Blackstone would love it if I left since they could more than double my rent to new occupants. They should offer incentives ($$$) to those with rent stabilized leases to give up their leases. I realize most of you will never give up your rent stabilized lease and it’s understandable."

I'm in the same boat as you but with four years to go. I agree that just because we're paying some 60% below market to live in a slum doesn't change the fact that we still live in a slum. I too wish they offered incentives, but it would have to be a hell of a lot higher than the 5 or 6 grand a prior poster mentioned. Lets not sell ourselves short.

I am fortunate enough to have a car. Yes I play the Alternate Side Parking roulette game but, hey, that's part of life in Manhattan. Once a week or so I drive to Costco in Brooklyn as well as the Stop & Shop supermarket. Believe me, it is exponentially cheaper than Manhattan. I can honesty say, without exaggeration, that prices are 30-40% less. Of course, you have to buy in bulk at Costco. A gallon of milk was $2.95 last week. Paper goods are dirt cheap. I understand many of our residents, in particular our seniors, do not have transportation. I always take a neighbor with me when I go. It's my "mitzvah".Greed rules in Manhattan. Blackstone and our landlords are the worst.The useless and dishonest TA run a close second.You, STR, are a true hero!

All of the blame is all on de Blasio for giving away the land under our homes, hospitals, grocery stores and libraries to big RE developers for high priced condo-hotel timeshare-dorm-embassy-corporate housing. He is the one who campaigns in Peter Cooper Village StuyTown making promises to tenants while hugging big RE developer lobbyists. Once in office the truth came out, the campaign promises are lies while the lobbyists hugs are his truth. One minute he feigns a look of concern to tenants in fear of losing their home. The next minute he turns, gives a big shit-eating grin, pat on the back, warm embrace to the developer lobbyist about to make millions from his administrations real estate deals.

"Since de Blasio took office in 2014, Capalino has nearly tripled its earnings."

September 27, 2010Share: Share this via email Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on Google+ Share this on LinkedInFrom Condominiums, Dormitories May Rise

New York Sun 6/26/2008

http://www.capalino.com/from-condominiums-dormitories-may-rise/

A spokesperson for Capalino admitted in an e-mail that the lobbyist is currently repping the owners of the old P.S. 64 — and has been doing so for nearly three years, in fact.

Lobbyist Capalino now working for old P.S. 64 dorm developers

“Confirming we are engaged by 9th and 10th street LLC, and have been since 4/10/14,” he said.http://thevillager.com/2016/12/24/lobbyist-capalino-now-working-for-old-p-s-64-dorm-developers/

[Singer] is seeking to get around the restrictive declaration and the tighter rules we helped fight for years ago and sneak in illegitimate uses. He has hired the same lobbyist involved in the scandalous lifting of the deed restriction for the nearby Rivington House. According to the Greenwich Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP):

My most recent reply at the TA FB re my thread that I posted the link to the Villager article:

"Associated isn't that great. I'd like to see a new up to date grocery store take its place. Maybe a place where I don't have to squeeze behind a table to access the toothpaste and deodorant."

For the 4th time:

"According to Joseph Falzon, the principal owner of the Associated, he’d been asking because he wants to renovate the store. But, he explained to Town & Village, he wanted to make sure the store had a future before making the investment, which he feels is necessary given competition from places like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in Union Square."

As per the purpose of my thread, the S.B.J.S.A. gives owners such as him the option to NEGOTIATE a fair lease whereby he can renovate the store. The store’s square footage does not change therefore any renovation increasing aisle space will decrease stock for sale one way or another. These arguments of Associated versus other types of supermarkets, etc., is dust thrown up to defect from the real issue of the the enactment of the S.B.J.S.A. and why the CC is not acting upon it. REBNY say what?

When this complex had 3 supermarket tenants, yes 3 MR renters. Associated would always be your last choice. Only the improved fresh fruit & vegetable upgrade (which I believe was Govt. subsidized) has changed, the meat Dept., cleanliness, and pricing all remain suspect. If eating healthy & safe are generation X attributes, then count me in. I welcome the so-called fresh blood and am not afraid of change.

I think it is good to go price shopping around the neighborhood, if you can. I eat Quaker Oats almost daily for breakfast, and I've found a place that sells these oats at a much cheaper price than the grocery stores.

Sorry, but Gristedes is not my first choice for anything, unless they advertise a special. I saw once what they did at the deli and the person there did not know what she was doing. Yeah, you can manage the aisles, but....

The deli in Associated is the one thing that is much better than the one in Gristedes. Associated does have a pretty good deli. Other than that, there is not much that I can commend regarding Associated. I will not be adverse to another supermarket opening in that space, even if it is a little more expensive.

The meat area in Associated has a perpetually funky smell. I've purchased raw chicken quarters, taken them home, opened them up and smelled a truly putrid rotten stench and had to return it for a refund. Okay, the deli counter is good, and it's convenient with the late hours, but I've seen mice in the produce area before closing time more than once. Look closely, you'll see 2 or 3 small holes in the baseboard in the corner of the produce department. Having said all of this, I go there out of necessity. I won't be thrilled to see them go, but a cleaner supermarket that doesn't sell rotting meat would be more ideal.

For all his faults and fumbles, let's not forget who delivered us an RGB that approved historically low rent increases. And will likely continue to do so. Last year's 0% increase alone has saved my family a a couple thousand dollars, much more long term since increases are permanently compounded.

And he led an effort to flip our gerrymandered State senate into Democrat's control, which would have vastly improved our lot. No, it wasn't sucessful, but at least he tried, something our so-called tenant friendly governor wouldn't do, with his coffers full of Big Real Estate money.

As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

Actually it is their parents who can afford it. Two new-tenant families on our floor are subsidized by their parents and these people are not in their twenties."

Exactly. Associated is the cheapest store in the area. If some schmuck wants to go to gracefully and pay $5 for a strawberry, go ahead. When Associated closes, I'll be going to the grocery stores in alphabet city. Gristedes is overpriced as well.

We are not paying prices that people living in this area on a salary can afford.We are paying prices that these rich mfuckers in connecticut can afford to pay when they subsidize their little darlings. If these people had to work for their money, they'd be out.

The date is 6/2020. This will happen-see link. J-51 tax benefit expires. Almost 100% of renovated PCVST apartments will drop out of NYS RS law.

"The effect on the rest of the ST/PCV community: The historically rent-stabilized units that were never deregulated are not part of this lawsuit. Their rents continue to be set by the Rent Guidelines Board. Of note, there is no "high income deregulation" on these units until the year 2020 because the J-51 property tax abatement will continue until then."

"Ongoing benefits of rent-stabilization: For each of these 4,311 units (and for all units in Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper for that matter), residents enjoy the benefits of rent-stabilization as long as the state continues to renew the law. Most importantly, it means that all rents have been capped, and may only go up by the amount set by the Rent Guidelines Board. It also confers certain other rights, such as succession – but succession rights are limited only to spouses who are on the lease as of the time this settlement becomes effective.

"Update (5/30/14): As noted above, however, all of these benefits are at risk after 2020, when the J-51 tax benefit expires and the possibility of decontrol reemerges."

People use their debit cards as well. I use my credit card. I get the float, I pay off my monthly bill prior to any interest carry charges and I get my credit card points. I do this at Associated as well, nothing to do with how expensive items are.

"I'm amazed at the fruit and vegetable prices at Gracefully. Almost everyone, even seniors (!), take out the credit card."

STR, I shop in Associated almost every day and I always use a credit card. Cash has not touched my hands in ages! Merchants love us people who shop with the credit card because we tend to spend more. I'm not saying that is a good thing, but I'm not saying it is a bad thing either. You just know what you can afford and what you can't afford and if you keep that in mind, the monthly bill isn't too much of a shock. In fact, by monitoring my cc use, I know whether I am keeping within the budget or busting it.

Did they jump the gun? Why are certain tenants listed as "Homeowner" and others as renters? What were the terms of the Brookfield condo deal and were some tenants given better deals as they push out the community?

It looks like the website divided up which apartments in the building are in the 5000 affordable housing stock and which are in the market rate potential condo stock. Anyone in that building may want to check and see if their apartment is in the condo stock or the affordable housing stock and make sure the property operators are not illegally removing apartments from the affordable housing stock.

The profit margin for supermarkets is exceedingly low.They can no longer remain viable with even a minimal rise in costs.So the outrageous rent increase Cockstone..I mean Blackstone.. wants to foist on Associated might indeed pull them under.This is just a part on the war on the dwindling middle class in Manhattan and, in fact, the other boroughs as well.Think of it as the ethnic cleansing of the rent-stabilized.The new New Yorkers can indeed afford to pay $5 for a box of strawberries at Gracefully or close to four grand for a one-bedroom in PigStuyTown. I, and many others, cannot do so.It is war. Subtle and not so subtle.The landlords, the pols, they are all whores. Wait! That gives the oldest profession a bad name. I apologize to the ladies of the evening. Nothing or no one is lower than the NY politicians and Mega Real Estate.P.S. I have heard from some of the workers here in PigStuyTown that there are indeed ladies working here.Maybe Oval Brothel is next!

Yes, the fruit at Gracefully is expensive, but the fruit at Associated is hit and miss. I have bought some inedible fruit there. Cannot wait for the Greenmarket to open again so I can buy my fruit there.

That was a long night. thinking we had fabulous new neighbors we heard blasting music until about 3 am, head banging sort of and definitely no carpets or nothing on 'their' wall. Duh, you would think they'd put in bookshelves , a desk, whatnot on the adjoining wall? Nah, too dumb to think to do that. Then to make matters worse, smoking. Good times, yeah, now we leave for work having little to no sleep.

April 3, 2017 at 8:27 We have the same problem with loud neighbors next door. Security said the new apartments all look the same and are decorated all the same. New tenants are not setting up permanent homes, decorating and putting in bookshelves. The apartment are already furnished. According to security they all look like hotel rooms.

"We have the same problem with loud neighbors next door. Security said the new apartments all look the same and are decorated all the same. New tenants are not setting up permanent homes, decorating and putting in bookshelves. The apartment are already furnished. According to security they all look like hotel rooms."

I dont care how they decorate, it's the selfishness and entitled attitude that gets me--it's not all students, either. sometimes it's the young, stupid, selfabsorbed yuppie couple with their nanny from jamaica and their trust fund who think they're entitled to make as much nnoise as they want, because they've always put themselves and their concerns ahead of everyone around them. put down some goddamn carpets, ya assholes. and stop stomping around and dropping your shit in the middle of the night.

The golf cart madness is epic in StuyTown. Seriously lazy StuyTown workers riding around golf carts like StuyTown is a speedway on a golf course. How we got here is a sad tale with the best part being this STR Post and the comment thread. This STR post and comment thread is EPIC!

STR Blog from Saturday, January 23, 2016Please, Dear Lord, No!

http://stuytownreport.blogspot.com/2016/01/please-dear-lord-no.html

The two biggest supporters pushing for him to run for President were Dimon and Fink

CNBC Letter pleading the same of BlackRock and JP Morgan Chase

http://www.cnbc.com/id/39763875

They don't care who is in the Oval Office because they will control whomever like a puppet on strings. Dance little orange puppet, dance....

Sorry, but I have to laugh over at some of the suggestions at the Facebook page if Associated closes. A shuttle bus for seniors? Yeah, line them up and have them wait, and only a few items please, and back you go! Should be fine for those old folks. They can endure it.

How about not closing Associated, so that seniors can walk there, even with their walkers, and choose their stock and come back home when they want to?

Security said most of the complaints about noise come from the apartments around the Oval and that all the apartments look alike there. Like hotel rooms and it is Groundhog day everytime they go to a call about noise. Hotel dwellers trash the rooms, they throw loud parties and break the furniture, spill beer on the carpets, basically living like assholes. Some old timer security officers don't like working hotel security in this ikea furnished motel. They liked the old days when it was families and we made this our home and the security officers were extended family members who knew all our kid's names. People who raise families, make memories and we have keepsakes in our homes and take care of our homes. They said there was nothing they could do about the noisy neighbors but it was almost always loud noises coming from one of the hotel apartments and not the ones that are clearly someone's home with roots in the community and those days are long gone. They did say if it keeps up to call 311 and give the names on the door.

I too read the suggestions for a shuttle to grocery stores. That would be a nice idea, but management and the TA will not do that. The logistics would be difficult, but it could be done. As far as Associated goes, not sorry if it closes. On other vein, perhaps offering a window washing service would be a real decent amenity. We do not need these crappy concerts and events.

The grad students who are quiet, good neighbors who study and work said there is a company called BridgeStreet Hospitality Group that students use. Bridgestreet Hospitality is partnered with Airbnb and do student housing and corporate business travel hotel-stays. They work with places like StuyTown to help Blackstone landlords increase profits.Here is who they are:

http://www.linkstudentliving.com/

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4081152.html

Developers and owners of existing apartments and hotels are constantly seeking new ways to maximise their investment. As an expert in driving real estate efficiency, BridgeStreet offers a unique opportunity to achieve your objectives, whether in mixed use environments, ground-up development or existing long-term accommodation businesses.http://modeaparthotel.com/

"BridgeStreet Global Hospitality is a Reston, Va.-based company that provides corporate housing to more than 4,000 companies, such as Tesla, Disney, and Liberty Mutual. It leases or manages 4,000 furnished apartments and houses. It also aggregates 60,000 properties supplied by professional property managers."

"Security said most of the complaints about noise come from the apartments around the Oval and that all the apartments look alike there. Like hotel rooms and it is Groundhog day everytime they go to a call about noise. Hotel dwellers trash the rooms, they throw loud parties and break the furniture, spill beer on the carpets, basically living like assholes. Some old timer security officers don't like working hotel security in this ikea furnished motel. They liked the old days when it was families and we made this our home and the security officers were extended family members who knew all our kid's names. People who raise families, make memories and we have keepsakes in our homes and take care of our homes. They said there was nothing they could do about the noisy neighbors but it was almost always loud noises coming from one of the hotel apartments and not the ones that are clearly someone's home with roots in the community and those days are long gone. They did say if it keeps up to call 311 and give the names on the door.

April 3, 2017 at 5:42 PM"

YOU READING THIS, HAYDUK? IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU SHOULD BE!

Get your act together and manage this property the way it is supposed to be managed.

Sounds like airbnb to me. Stop denying that you are involved in transient style housing , college dorms and city subsidized housing Blackstone. You are filling this complex with all of the above in your pursuit of money. We know the truth.

Hey Management, you are starting to make this place look like a public park with all of these signs placed all over the property. It does not look residential around here anymore. You are doing the wrong thing.

de Blasio cares only about himself. He is out of town fundraising for himself with his former Deputy Mayor Chief of Staff now private Economic Development Corp head who is selling out permanent neighborhoods and communities to developers for tourism transient lodging. The EDC is causing all the problems for permanent NYC residents because there is more money to be made from business travelers and tourism. Need more proof this Mayor cares only about himself? While he is fundraising he tells a reporter who is covering the hell hole that is Rikers:

"It may be central to your life but I have other matters going on," de Blasio to @jdavidgoodman on Rikers report

He throws a bone to the people 0% increase but no rollback, no correction of the years of outrageous increases no outrage he had as public advocate because that outrage was all for show to advance himself.

For those Associated fans, today I went into the store. There were so many obstructions that I had to practically crawl in to get my garbage bags. I can understand management not wanting to remodel until they get a lease, but there is no excuse for all of those boxes and obstructions in the aisles. That store is an accident waiting to happen and not too clean to boot.

We’re ready and eager to engage with the mayor and his team to help arrest the tidal wave of gentrification before it swamps the entire city. We hope he and his commissioners start showing up.

The conditions that are undermining our families today are different than they were nearly 40 years ago. Rising rents and weak city leadership are destabilizing our communities faster than arson ever did.

For better or worse, every mayor is a role model of sorts. The current mayor’s habit of limiting questions from the media to a particular topic, and lecturing reporters when they stray, has trickled down to many of his top appointees and aides, including Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

We are pastors and leaders of Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, and we had an experience in March 2014 with the then-newly elected mayor that foreshadowed this tendency. During the primary season, Metro IAF and the Daily News hosted three mayoral candidate forums for all the major contenders. In those events, we had asked the candidates if they would attend a major assembly within three months of their inauguration if elected.

All the candidates, including Bill de Blasio, readily agreed.

De Blasio won, and then his time came. By the night before the assembly at the Brooklyn Marriott, all 2,200 tickets were issued. An additional several thousand citizens were eager to attend but unable to fit into the ballroom. The mayor’s top community affairs appointee called and said that the mayor had decided not to attend.

We asked, “For what reason? Didn’t he remember the promise he’d made?”

“The reason is that you insist on asking the mayor questions,” the aide said.

We reminded the aide that we had already given the mayor’s staff the questions, which were, by our standards, softballs, and that there had been no concerns expressed by them.

We told the aide that we would announce to the 2,200 attendees and to the world at large that the newly elected mayor had refused to attend because he had suddenly decided that he didn’t want to answer any questions.

De Blasio’s price to pay for his fundraising escapade

“You wouldn’t do that,” the aide said.

“Don’t kid yourself,” we said.

An hour later, the aide called back and stated that the mayor would attend and would answer the questions in the course of his prepared remarks, but only if we agreed not to actually put him on the spot in real time.

We said, “No deal.”

The next afternoon, the mayor did show up. He was publicly asked the questions, and answered them grudgingly. That was the last time we saw him.

Our clergy and lay leaders have tried to get Trottenberg to discuss our ideas for making this and a dozen other intersections safer. She’s refused us three times.http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/de-blasio-input-zero-mayoralty-shuts-community-concerns-article-1.3018131

We believe the mayor and some of his commissioners have a set of unannounced programs: Input Zero. Engagement Zero. Reciprocity Zero.

Tuesday, we’re heading to Trottenberg’s to get a public commitment that she’ll meet with us. Only under the pressure of action and this writing did she finally offer to sit down. If she shows up, we’ll thank and recognize her.

The initial unwillingness to meet, listen and learn isn’t limited to Trottenberg’s team. New York City Housing Authority managers recently informed tenant leaders in some Brooklyn developments that they won’t meet with them as a group, only one by one. A sanitation chief told us that he’s not even allowed to talk to the public.

Thankfully, not all mayoral appointees are using the mayor’s imperial behavior as a guide. A few weeks ago, a dozen of us met with Police Commissioner James O’Neill and his top chiefs for 30 minutes at One Police Plaza. He was on time and respectful, and responded to all of our questions.

At one point, he chuckled, saying, “I know you guys. I remember going to your meetings in the South Bronx when I was the captain; my commanding officer hated going because you were so tough on him.”

O’Neill didn’t commit to everything we wanted but agreed to attend two assemblies within the next two months.

The conditions that are undermining our families today are different than they were nearly 40 years ago. Rising rents and weak city leadership are destabilizing our communities faster than arson ever did.

We’re ready and eager to engage with the mayor and his team to help arrest the tidal wave of gentrification before it swamps the entire city. We hope he and his commissioners start showing up.

>>We are pleased to announce a new way of identifying registered dogs on property which will allow our Public Safety staff to easily recognize registered dogs and more effectively enforce StuyTown's dog policies. Management will be providing new lanyards which residents should now use with their Dog ID Tag on the end and clipped onto the handle of the leash so that it is easily visible. As of April 30th, 2016, anyone walking a dog on property without a lanyard and tag will be escorted off of property, including dog walkers.<<

It has been said before, many times: Unless there is enforcement of the rules, which are not set up by residents but by Blackstone and their reps, there is a break-down and residents will start to ignore the rules. Any rules. Blackstone is showing that they DO NOT CARE. Is this the message that they want???

Neither does the councilman. He does not care. The quality of life, the loss of supermarkets, the unsafe conditions, all the poor quality of life conditions are because of his doing since his first, second and third terms. He has had three terms and during those three terms what have his constituents seen? Loss of rent stabilized apartments, increase of wall partition population, noise nuisance, construction problems, ... everything that could have gone wrong has and all on his watch. Maybe it is not that he does not care but that he is deliberately causing the low level quality of life issues with the big RE. His biggest accomplishment is that quality of life under three terms has reached all time historically low levels.

I am with the PIG STY TOWN guy. I would buy a hoodie that said that but I would never buy a Stuy Town hoodie. That being said I do have to give credit to Rick or PS or whoever is responsible for keeping smokers from congregating on the stoops. They have done a commendable job trying to keep self centered tenants from poisoning other tenants and from scaring people away from entering their buildings. Other than that they blow.

Apparently, the rules have changed and now you can ride your bicycle around the Oval at slow, safe speeds. Attaboy! This is going back to the ways we are familiar with: a rule can't be enforced by PS, so eliminate the rule. Job well done!

It feels like the MCI charges are skipping over PCV which is mostly dorm university leases. The TA refuses to demand a room count from the DOB who approved all the added walls. They, the TA and DOB, did after all build the Bunker together. It does not seem like they are applying the charges fairly or even legally. The politicians are afraid of Blackstone and some are taking money from Blackstone for things that make no sense. Boss Blas makes Boss Tweed look like a Saint.

LOL 11:41. I love the concept of a Pig Sty Town hoodie. Now Rick needs to stop pot smoking in the apartments. The new signage is great for the airbnb crowd. Saw two of them yesterday on my way to Associated. This dump gets worse and worse.

5:39 If you are reading the blog of STR, you can see that there are several posters wh o live in PC and are telling you and all of us they have MCI. Are you disputing this and if so, please provide proof that posters are lying.

"It feels like the MCI charges are skipping over PCV which is mostly dorm university leases. The TA refuses to demand a room count from the DOB who approved all the added walls. They, the TA and DOB, did after all build the Bunker together. It does not seem like they are applying the charges fairly or even legally. The politicians are afraid of Blackstone and some are taking money from Blackstone for things that make no sense. Boss Blas makes Boss Tweed look like a Saint."

If you know of a "flex" apartment, AKA cheap masonry wall added by management, either current or previous, call 311 and make a complaint to the DOB. They have to come and inspect as it may be a firehazard and in violation of the law. What i'm saying is, they are required to come and inspect, and will do so, though there may be some delay. If they determine the wall was added illegally, management is fucked.

We are probably looking at 40-45% of apartments with those walls, so I find it hard to believe that DOB doesn't know. Reality is just that they don't care, and Blackstone/Tishman/CWC all had the money necessary to make the DOB not care.

We are probably looking at 40-45% of apartments with those walls, so I find it hard to believe that DOB doesn't know. Reality is just that they don't care, and Blackstone/Tishman/CWC all had the money necessary to make the DOB not care."

What? this is nonsense. DOB doesn't magically sense when walls are going up illegally all over manhattan. They're pretty busy over there. If you don't report violations, they don't know. pretty simple.

90% sounds wrong, but whatever, ok.Look, there are 2 bedroom flex apartments being advertised for rent as 2 bedroom.Do you seriously think management would not be advertising that as a 3 bedroom if there weren't something shady going on? they dont want to get caught on public record as showing that the wall is there. so they rent those by getting people who come in person looking for a 3 bedroom. then they show them the cheaper 2 bedroom flex, which are more plentiful than 3 bedroom vacancies anyway.

I don't care, you do you. but I'd advise anyone who knows of a SPECIFIC flex apartmet being advertised at the lower room count to notify DOB of that SPECIFIC wall, in that specific apartment. Some of the walls were illegal and management was forced to remove them. some may be legal. They can't ignore the fire code however corrupt they are. They also can't increase the total occupancy of the building without notifying DOB, which I doubt they have.

No, no, again. look. you can't "pay off" an entire department, an entire city agency. are there people at DOB taking bribes? undoubtedly, this is a city government. there are people at DOB, and more importantly FDNY, not getting paid to "not notice." yes, I'm sure it will take some time for DOB to actually come and inspect, as there are other pressing violations to investigate, and sure some have been encouraged to look the other way. But if you think everyone in the NYC gov't is in on some big, 1984 type conspiracy to allow Blackstone to put up illegal walls, you have a screw loose.

As for people moving out and rents going up-- yeah. I agree, this is their plan.But these dumb mfuckers who keep moving at the higher rents, like stupid lemmings--I mean, they have to stop at some point, don't they? I dont know what the hell is wrong with these idiots who are willing to pay even the current prices. they watch too many movies and think theyre gonna move to NYC and star in their own version of Rent or something. I assume there has to be a limit to rising prices/rising stupidity. Idk.

Until There Is Silence No More

The Tenants Association and our councilman Dan Garodnick have mysteriously remained silent about a purported incident that occurred on July 12: the mugging by a group of individuals of someone right by Peter Cooper Village, along 20th Street.

The TA is basically done. Tenants can complain, but any action is negligible. The TA is effectively dead.

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"We'll be introducing a new process to identify registered dogs thus enabling Public Safety Officers to clearly approach offending dog owners. The registration will hang from the leash handle; clearly identifying the dog as registered.

"If the dog is not registered by May 1; a summons will be issued at the point of contact. If we learn the dog owner is not a resident, they will be escorted off the property."

Rick Hayduk, CEO and General Manager of PCVST. Letter to Barry Shapiro, February 2016.

STR here: I have been around since the inception of this dog policy and I have NEVER seen anyone escorted out of ST or PCV with their non-lanyard dog. But I have seen, many times, a dog owner from outside, and his/her dog, casually walking through ST or PCV.

THINKING of Renting in PCVST?

Read Yelp reviews to find out what it's like living here. Please note: All apartments are currently "rent-stabilized" but that doesn't prevent apartments from going up to 4K to 6K a month and even higher. How does this happen? Ask our politicians! Fact: Now less than half of the complex's apartments have the old rents and it's getting worse year by year--or better if you are the Real Estate Board of New York!

The Other Yelp Reviews

Yelp can be tricky and bounce reviews for a variety of reasons, like being a member and posting just one review. Very often, however, these reviews hold important truths about what's being reviewed. READ THESE TOO.

BICYCLES, MOPEDS, SCOOTERS, ETC.

Of course, "private property" but "public access" - whatever that means! And if a part of it is public access, do the rules of the city apply to our roads and sidewalks? Or does anything give because this complex is "private property"? Who comes here in case of a fire in one of our buildings? The Stuy Town Fire Brigade?

Hint: Look both ways if you are in the complex. Look on the ground, too!

61.03 Control of dogs and other animals to prevent nuisance. (a) A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog, cat or other animal shall not permit the animal to commit a nuisance on a sidewalk of any public place, on a floor, wall, stairway, sidewalk, lawn, garden or roof of any public or private premises used in common by the public, or on a fence, wall [or], stairway or entranceway of a building abutting on a public place

Banned & Oversize Dog Breeds in Stuy Town

Looks like there is some difficulty in enforcing the ban on certain dog breeds allowed inside Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village. Somehow pitbulls and pitbull mixes have been registered in STPCV and are allowed to be freely walked about the grounds! Registered dogs in the complex are max 50 pounds. Total, if there is more than one! More than two, it's illegal. It's going to get worse, and, face it, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village will never be like it once was.

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Read it and Weep

Current Value of ST/PCV

Was 5.4 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer bought the place.Became 1.7 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer left, with their tail between their legs. Of course, tenants now have to make up the loss.

Ex-landlord

Rob Speyer

1947 Stuy Town Plaque Honoring Met Life Chairman F.H. Ecker (Removed in 2002 and never seen again)

"... who with the vision of experience and the energy of youth conceived and brought into being this project, and others like it, that families of moderate means might live in health, comfort and dignity in park-like communities and that a pattern might be set of private enterprise productively devoted to public service."

I am writing on behalf of everyone at Tishman Speyer to express how honored we are to become part of your outstanding community. We are a business with deep roots in New York, a true love of our city and a great respect for the neighborhoods that make it special. We are committed to maintaining the unique character and environment that have made Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town such a wonderful place to live for so long. We look forward to providing you an extraordinary level of service and attentiveness that will be the source of pride and satisfaction for the entire community.

Neighborhood Recommendations

New to Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village? Here are some basic recommendations.

Best supermarket: Associated on 14th St. between 1st Ave. and Ave A. The cheapest prices, fantastic weekly sales, very affordable lunches; solid, responsive management, but earthy. Some of the young female cashiers have attitude to spare, though. May be too far for Peter Cooper residents.

Best gym: Don't waste your money on the Oval Fitness Gym. Instead go to the earthy but real Asser Levy Recreational Center, right above 23rd St on Asser Levy Place (near the FDR Drive). $75 for a year's membership; seniors are almost free. Contains seasonal indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ping-pong table, two pool tables. Called by some rich people who wouldn't get caught going there "the prison gym," and you know why.

A Stuy Town favorite is Lenz's on 20 St. between the 20 St. Loop. The way New York used to be. Be careful of unwanted "pepper" in your food, however. Lenz's got a B grade rating and was temporarily closed down due to an order from the Health Department. Bruno's on First Avenue is more upscale, with a greater selection of food items (higher-priced, too), but was closed down temporarily by the Health Department. Stuy Town's own cafe was closed, too! And not because of all the dogs that hover and piss outside.

Gracefully has two locations, but we prefer for its size the one on 1st Ave. Prices are high and reflect the new tenants that are currently renting Stuy Town and Peter Cooper apartments. ("Do you have a credit card?") We like Gracefully's lunch specials, which are somewhat affordable.

I priced the CVS on 1st Ave near 14st. The non-aerosol hairspray was 20 cents above CVS' own website price, and one of the highest in NY. (Yes, I have hair.) You can save at least a dollar or more buying at another place. So beware. Look around for a better deal on all your items.

I love warm Quaker Oats in the morning. Gristedes is not the place to get it, nor is Associated, though their price is less. Look around!

Macular Degeneration Support Group

If you are currently diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary is offering a support group for you. Conveniently located next to the Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town apartment complex, our group offers the opportunity to share stories with other members, listen to expert guest speakers, and learn coping strategies to reduce stress. Our group runs on the first Wednesday of every month and we would enjoy seeing you there.
Please contact Baptiste Nicolas, Social Work Assistant at 212-979-4105 for further information and to see if this group is right for you!